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Features September 2019 Issue

Low-end BATDs exist under about $7000, but better equipped ones like this quickly exceed $10,000. See FlyPFC.com.

Certified Sim vs. DIY

Most of us agree that time in a sim is useful in maintaining proficiency. Where we diverge is whether you really need to log that time. Let’s explore both sides.

By Frank Bowlin

Okay, we’ve likely just established that your proficiency needs more than an IPC twice a year. Now, what if you flew those same procedures every month, all the way to real minimums in “no guano, Batman, I can’t see the runway” weather? Do that every month and after a few months you’d be much more proficient for that exercise. If you do it in a sim, you don’t have to arrange for a safety pilot or an instructor, and you can do it whenever it’s convenient to your schedule.

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